Testimonials

Hugo Thienpont

May I introduce myself? I am Hugo Thienpont, born in 1961 in the Belgian province of ‘Vlaams-Brabant’. Fascinated by science fiction series such as Star Trek, I created my own laboratory at home. I spent my pocket money on building electronic switches and mini hovercrafts, did chemical experiments en experimented with small rockets running on self-made solid fuel. However, I soon found out that, unfortunately, imagination and ideas are insufficient to develop and complete successful projects. Knowledge of physics, mathematically based physics models, professional tools and measuring instruments, excellent building materials, and colleagues sharing the same passion have all proved indispensable.

That is why I started studying at the Faculty of Engineering Sciences at the Free University of Brussels. It really became interesting only after I was able to decide for myself which courses I wanted to take. I followed courses about the basic principles of nuclear fusion reactors, of lasers, of optical fibres and new high-tech materials. Wonderful courses with a real Star Trek element, which at the time (1983-84) were frequently labelled as futuristic and with no future for a ‘real’ engineer... At present, my team is designing micro lasers and micro-optical components for 3D image projection and special photonic bandgap fibres for quantum encrypted communication.

In my view, the human factor is much more important than the underlying technology. Working together towards a positive future with young researchers who want to realize their dreams, that is my ambition. My main task as faculty chairman and research director of our photonics department, is to create the financial and strategic conditions to make this possible.

All key figures and staff at ALT not only share the same constructive Star Trek team spirit, but they also have a keen interest in the success of young researchers in the field of optics and photonics. Together with my forty faculty staff members, I therefore look back on years of excellent cooperation with Erik, Dick and all other ALT employees. Their honest advice, their recommendations and suggestions, their enthusiasm en their rapid service and deliveries ensure that we have state-of-the-art photonic instruments and opto-mechanic equipment in our laboratories. I therefore gladly open my cabinet with Star Trek paraphernalia to open a unique bottle of wine. With a glass of this wine, called “Dewdrops of Raisa IV’, I bring a toast to a fruitful continuation of our successful cooperation.


For further information on the Free University of Brussels, TONA Department, click on the Website.
For further information on the brand new spin-off "Brussels Photonics Team (B-Phot)", click here